Meet Hamilton’s eight newly elected City Councillors

Monday night’s municipal election left Hamilton City Council with eight new City Councillors. Five candidates beat out incumbents to win their seat, while another three won open seats.

Including Keanin Loomis, that means that nine of the 16 members of Council (56 per cent) are newly elected.

The seven members of Council who also served the previous term are: Maureen Wilson, Cameron Kroetsch, Nrinder Nann, Matt Francis, Tom Jackson, Mark Tadeson, and Mike Spadafora.

Here are the eight newly elected Councillors.

JASON FARR (WARD 4 – HAMILTON EAST) 

Farr was elected with 3,468 votes (39.30 per cent) on Monday, unseating incumbent Tammy Hwang, who received 2,868 votes (32.50 per cent).

Jason Farr had a 22-year career in radio and television in Hamilton before being elected to Hamilton City Council in Ward 2 (Downtown Hamilton) in 2010, serving until 2022.

Farr ran for the Ontario Liberal Party in June 2022, finishing third. He then lost the October 2022 municipal election in Ward 2 to Cameron Kroetsch.

MARK DALY (WARD 7 – CENTRAL MOUNTAIN)

Daly earned 4,943 votes (42.18 per cent), unseating Esther Pauls, who earned 4,432 votes (37.82 per cent).

Mark Daly served as secondary school principal at St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School and Cathedral Catholic Secondary School. 

His campaign focused on fixing roads and controlling taxes. He said that he will not support tax increases above inflation.

DAWN DANKO (WARD 8 – WEST/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN)

Dawn Danko earned 3,945 votes (43.64 per cent), compared to Terry Whitehead’s 2,173 votes (24.04 per cent) in what was an open race.

The ward was previously represented by Rob Cooper (2025-2026) and Dawn Danko’s husband John-Paul Danko (2022-2025).

Dawn Danko is a Professor and Curriculum and Program Quality Consultant at Mohawk College and served as the public school board trustee since 2014. She ran for the Ontario Liberal Party in the 2025 in Hamilton Mountain, placing second.

JONATHAN STATHAKOS (WARD 9 – UPPER STONEY CREEK)

Stathakos earned 3,531 votes (39.10 per cent), unseating incumbent Brad Clark who earned 3,329 votes (36.86 per cent).

Jonathan Stathakos is a government relations advisor in the post-secondary education sector and a small business owner in the retail industry. He has a Master’s Degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). He is also the former chief of staff for Conservative Party Member of Parliament Ned Kuruc.

His priorities during the campaign were lower taxes, safer streets, reliable roads, and fixing issues with the GFL Landfill. Stathakos had endorsements from former Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina, former MPP Paul Miller and former Ward 9 Councillor Doug Conley.

NICOLE TROMBETTA (WARD 10 – STONEY CREEK-FRUITLAND-WINONA)

Trombetta won by only 56 votes in an 11-candidate race, earning 3,052 votes (28.58 per cent), with Ivan Luksic second with 2,996 votes (28.05 per cent). The seat was open after Jeff Beattie left for provincial politics.

Nicole Trombetta is a business development strategist and entrepreneur with a background in legal services. She built her own small bakery business. She is the co-founder of Downtown Stoney Creek’s Boots in the Creek Country Music Festival.

She campaigned on keeping taxes “honest,” fixing roads, and keeping the ward safe.

FRED BENNINK (WARD 12 – ANCASTER-WEST FLAMBOROUGH)

Bennink earned 8,009 votes (58.40 per cent), unseating incumbent Craig Cassar, who earned 5,705 votes (41.60 per cent).

Fred Bennink spent 37 years as the owner and president of Zip Signs Ltd., an outdoor sign company. He served as a Hamilton Police auxiliary officer and was later a member of the Hamilton Police Services Board, including vice chair.

He ran on improving roads, lowering property taxes, and reducing crime.

RICK KUNC (WARD 13 – DUNDAS-CENTRAL FLAMBOROUGH)

Kunc earned 7,335 votes (60.66 per cent), defeating runner-up Loren Lieberman, who earned 1,966 votes (16.26 per cent). The seat was open after Alex Wilson opted not to run again.

Kunc came out of retirement after a 30-year career in education, primarily as a principal. He also served in instructor roles at both Brock University and York University.

He was endorsed by Ted McMeekin (former Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament and Ward 15 Councillor from 2022-2026).

He listed his priorities as leadership, affordability and infrastructure, community and engagement, housing, and trust and transparency.

COLLEEN STEWART (WARD 15 – EAST FLAMBOROUGH-WATERDOWN)

Stewart earned 4,081 votes (47.78 per cent), unseating incumbent Ted McMeekin, who earned 2,660 votes (31.14 per cent).

Colleen Stewart’s campaign website described her as a wife, mother, and business owner. Her website said she is active with her son’s school community and her church. She is the founder of Perfect Pitch Consulting.

She campaigned on fighting the “property tax insanity,” increasing police presence, fixing roads, and building a local recreation centre.